KUALA LUMPUR: After more than a month of teasers, Honda Malaysia finally launched the all-new Honda City Hatchback.
Featuring a sporty design, the new compact model comes with an array of convenience and safety equipment, and is aimed at a younger audience.
The City Hatchback is offered in four variants of S, E, V and RS e:HEV hybrid.
While bookings for the City Hatchback can be made at all Honda outlets, the model would only be available in showrooms next year.
The S, E and V variants are available immediately and priced at RM75,670, RM83,080 and RM87,860 respectively.
Prices are on-the-road without insurance but include sales tax exemption.
The RS e:HEV is only available early next year with the price to be announced closer to delivery period.
The City Hatchback is the hatchback bodystyle version of the fifth-generation City sedan which was introduced in October last year.
Compared with the City sedan which the City Hatchback shares underpinnings and key equipment with, the City Hatchback costs RM1,300 to RM1,500 more depending on the variant.
Both models have the same wheelbase and width which translate to a similar level of interior spaciousness.
The City Hatchback S, E and V variants are equipped with a 1.5-litre dual camshaft i-VTEC engine that delivers 121PS and 145Nm of torque mated to a continuous variable transmission.
Meanwhile the RS e:HEV hybrid comes with a 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle dual camshaft i-VTEC engine coupled to an e-CVT transmission and an electric motor.
The engine delivers 98PS and 127Nm of torque while the electric motor pumps out 109PS and 253Nm of torque.
The hybrid powertrain delivers a new level of driving experience with a seamless and smooth acceleration as well as excellent fuel efficiency.
The RS e:HEV starts on electric power until it reaches high speeds where the petrol engine takes over.
A main draw of the City Hatchback is the 4-Modes versatile Ultra Seats that can be configured into Utility, Long, Tall or Refresh modes.
The Ultra Seats, which were popularised by the Honda Jazz model, allow owners to use various modes to maximise luggage carrying capacity.
The car also comes with sound absorbing materials to reduce interior noise and has a luggage space of 289 litres which can be increased to 841 litres with rear seats folded down.
The flagship RS e:HEV comes with a gloss black front grille, solid wing and door mirrors for a two-toned body colour expression.
Both the RS e:HEV and V variants also feature LED Headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), LED front fog lights, tailgate spoiler, LED rear combination lights and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The RS e:HEV is fitted with red-stitched Ultrasuede seats, the V variant gets leather seats while the S and E come with fabric seats.
The RS e:HEV, V and E variants are also equipped with an 8-inch Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity, automatic air-conditioning, two USB ports and remote engine start feature that allows owners to remotely turn on the engine and air-conditioning before entering the car.
In addition, the RS e:HEV and V variants also get Honda LaneWatch, a first in its segment for safety, that uses camera-based safety technology to monitor the rear leftside of the vehicle for oncoming vehicles.
Aside from rear air conditioner ventilation and electric parking brake, the RS e:HEV also comes with Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance safety system that includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Auto High Beam (AHB).
The RS e:HEV is also the second model in Honda Malaysia’s line-up, after the City sedan RS e:HEV, to feature the Honda Connect telematics which allows owners to access vehicle diagnostics, remote applications, security applications, vehicle tracking and support services through a smartphone application.
Other standard safety features for all variants are Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), rear seat ISOFIX i-size type and rear seatbelt reminder.
Available colours for the RS e:HEV are Platinum White Pearl and the new Ignite Red Metallic and new Meteoroid Gray Metallic.
Buyers of the S, E and V can choose from the three colours as well as Lunar Silver Metallic and Crystal Black Pearl.
Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Madoka Chujo said the company had secured more than 2,000 bookings for the five-door hatchback before the launch.
“This new model will be the trend setter with its first-in-segment advanced technology, premium features, versatility with Ultra Seats configurations and most importantly, it will be absolutely fun to drive,” she said.
Chujo said over 380,000 units of the City had been sold in Malaysia since the introduction of the second generation City in 2002.
“Today, Honda Malaysia is set to create another key milestone, offering the popular City model in a hatchback body type. Over the years and generations, the City has evolved into one of Malaysia’s most favourite B-segment sedan,” she said.
The City Hatchback is covered by a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty with free service up to five times within 100,000km or five years.
The lithium-ion hybrid battery gets an eight-year/unlimited mileage warranty.
